Organ Transplant Surgery

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Your Organ Transplant Surgery Team

As you recover from organ transplant surgery, you should expect to see a host of people taking care of you.

The team approach is standard, Abouljoud explains.

Team members vary, but typically include, besides the transplant surgeon and transplant doctor:

An infectious disease doctor

A psychiatrist

A psychologist

The transplant coordinator

An intensive care or critical care specialist

Nurses

A pharmacist

A dietitian

A physical therapist

A social worker

A transplant financial coordinator

An occupational therapist

Smaller transplant centers may have fewer people, says Abouljoud.

Before You Leave the Hospital

Although you may be tired from your transplant surgery, it's important to start getting information about your post-transplant needs before leaving the hospital.

As you know by now, you will be on immunosuppressant drugs to prevent rejection after your organ transplant. You have to understand your medications and recognize side effects so you can report them right away, says Abouljoud. And know the complications of surgery, too, so you can tell if something is not right, he says.

This is also the time to address any concerns you may have about the amount of help you have at home, Abouljoud says. Remember: Your social worker is integral to this whole process. She can aid you in informing you about your choices and finding the help you need.

And ask now about what restrictions you will have, in terms of daily activity and driving restrictions, so you can get help needed to get through the day.